Astoria Times

LONG ISLAND CITY — A collision between two vehicles shut down traffic at the intersection of 23rd Street and Broadway Saturday evening. A red Chevrolet sedan ran a red light going east on Broadway at the same time a silver Hyundai was heading north on 23rd Street. Comment.

Letters

As a school teacher, I contend our public and parochial schools should have been either closed or dismissed for a half-day during the recent heat wave. There were schools in New Jersey and on Long Island that closed either for a full day or a half-day and also cancelled after-school outdoor activities because of the excessive heat and humidity. Comment.

Letters

I believe the program "Meet the Press," hosted by Tim Russert, keeps me informed about what is happening around the nation. In a way I feel Russert is family because he cared about what American families are up against. Comment.

Letters

Walk the halls of Townsend Harris High School on Queens College's campus and you will see pictures of distinguished graduates, including Broadway composers Richard Rodgers and Ira Gershwin and Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter. Comment.

Letters

During this period of rising fuel, pension and health care costs, New Yorkers, especially middle-class and working families, need tax relief. That is why I support a property tax hike cap, endorsed by both Gov. David Paterson and a tax-relief commission. It is a shame that Albany has blocked this common sense proposal, bowing to lobbyists and special interest pressure. Comment.

Editorial

Imagine living next to a slaughterhouse, the smell of rancid blood and goat guts wafting through the neighborhood as your children play. It is hard not to sympathize with St. Albans homeowners protesting the opening of a slaughterhouse planned for their residential neighborhood. Comment.

Editorial

It was no fun witnessing the demise of Mets manager Willie Randolph. For weeks, the Wilpons let him dangle, only to fire him on the West Coast at 3 a.m. East Coast time. Randolph has been a stand-up guy who had enjoyed some success until the meltdown began last August. We wish him well. Comment.

Astoria Times

Few people know that many Queens high school graduates have already attended three or four award ceremonies where they have been honored for their achievements. About two weeks ago, many seniors attended an awards ceremony where they received certificates, plaques and trophies. In a school like Hillcrest High School, 400 honors can be given to 200 students. In a small high school, the same percentage of students received honors. Comment.

Astoria Times

A recent Quinnipiac University poll of possible 2010 New York gubernatorial candidates revealed some interesting results. Of those registered state voters polled, 30 percent of them favored Mayor Michael Bloomberg, 26 percent former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, 23 percent Gov. David Paterson, 15 percent state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and 6 percent had no answer or favored other candidates. Comment.

Astoria Times

Some things deserve to be repeated. With summer here, remember that is it against the law to buy, sell, store or use fireworks. They are dangerous and cause injuries and sometimes death. They can also lead to fines and jail time. Instead, make use of public fireworks displays. Comment.

Astoria Times

I attend Queens financial networking and seminar meetings and always hear professionals speak about smart things to do with money. This week, though, let's talk about bad things you could do with your money and how to have smart alternatives. Comment.

Astoria Times

Astoria has grown to become one of the borough's most diverse neighborhoods in recent years, and Ted Kouris said his newly opened Lava Bar & Grill can cater to the varying needs of the community's protean population. Comment.

Astoria Times

James Kim wanted to continue taking courses toward his bachelor's degree in accounting this fall, but now with the Rent Guidelines Board's big rent increase for the city's rent-stabilized apartments, Kim may have to halt his education to help his mother afford their rent-stabilized Flushing apartment. Comment.

Astoria Times

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has voted to abolish the policy of giving board members free bus and subway MetroCards and free E-ZPasses for personal use outside of MTA business. Comment.

Astoria Times

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has predicted worsening air traffic jams climaxing in "total gridlock" at New York City airports and accused the Federal Aviation Administration of driving away air controllers through a "culture of fear." Comment.

Astoria Times

The borough's two Republican state senators said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno's (R-Saratoga Springs) abrupt and unexpected announcement Monday that he would not seek re-election has no bearing on their chances to hold on to their seats. Comment.

Astoria Times

Queens students in grades three through eight showed great progress on statewide English Language Arts and math exams, according to results released by the state Department of Education Monday. Comment.

Astoria Times

Borough President Helen Marshall opened a transit forum by proclaiming that buses are Queens' transportation lifeline — with most straphangers agreeing and some questioning the lifeline's reliability. Comment.

Astoria Times

Dina Denis' dance company, Dance Into Light, has been performing since 2003, and their most recent show was held June 13-14 at the Green Space Studios in Long Island City. The show featured the Middle Village-based group's new and repertory works, as well as a piece by Denis' students at Nadia's Performing Arts Center in Whitestone and live original music by Rob Ash, Steve Scalfani and Ken White. Comment.

Astoria Times

On June 5, College Point native Bill Popp and his band The Tapes celebrated the release of their newest album, "My Lonely Mind," at Kenny's Castaways on Bleecker Street, a favorite venue of the band. Comment.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Astoria Times

It is now the beginning of summer. 'Tis the season for relaxing, thinking cool and laughing. As a refreshing breeze to you sweaty, uncomfortable readers, this week's column offers a collection of light, mirthful and frothy looks at life. Laugh loud, live easy and be jolly. Comment.

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Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Astoria Times

One of the best things about living in Queens is the easy access to exotic dining. A case in point is The Catch Restaurant in St. Albans, a pocket-sized eatery with bragging rights to being Queens' only restaurant specializing in the cuisine of Barbados. Comment.

Letters

After hearing our state legislators' crying and complaining about the failure to receive a raise from wealthy state taxpayers, I have devised a solution to this problem facing those who go to Albany and claim to represent us. Comment.

Letters

On Sunday, I played tennis at Crocheron Park, as I do every Sunday. It was hot and an hour of singles was enough to send me rushing home for a cool shower. As I got out of my car, I realized that I was missing my fanny pack in which I had my wallet, cell phone and other items that pretty much comprise my life. Without them, I would be lost. Comment.

Astoria Times

This school year started with high hopes for improving the city school system. Principals were given autonomy over the way money was to be spent. They were also promised more money so they could help failing students and a bonus if students' test scores improved. There was the threat, however, that if their school received a failing grade, they would be removed or fired. Comment.

Astoria Times

Our present mayor began his political affiliation as a Democrat and changed to a Republican when he first ran for mayor in 2001. By running as a Republican, he received the party nomination without having to go through the Democratic primary. Comment.

Astoria Times

Too many people do not know that the police officers who serve our communities are regular folks with families, friends, hopes, talents and fears. The demands sometimes made on them to respond to dangerous situations set them apart from the rest of us. What makes them different is bravery. Comment.

Astoria Times

It may be that the Dutch, having suffered under the harsh rule of Spain and the Holy Inquisition, decided, even though many were staunch Calvinists, that religious freedom was wise to espouse. In 1579, long before they founded New Netherlands here, they proclaimed that "no one shall be persecuted because of his religion." Comment.

Astoria Times

This week was not the same old type. Tuesday we went to a fund-raiser for Paul Vallone at Verdi's in Whitestone. Dad, Peter Sr., Mom Teena and brother Peter Jr. were there for support. The only one who could not attend was brother Perry. The place was packed with about 150 people. Comment.

Astoria Times

Hot weather and insects are soulmates. A wife walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter. "What are you doing?" she asked. "Hunting flies," he responded. "Kill any?" she asked. "Yes, three males and two females." Intrigued, she asked, "How can you tell?" He answered, "Three were on a beer can and two on the phone." Comment.